The Tri-City Herald reports the 65-year-old could spend the rest of his life in prison, if convicted.

He was fired in February from his job at public works accounting and administrative director. He's accused of charging the county for equipment it never received and putting the money in his own bank account.

Losses total more than $2.8 million since 1996, but the charges by the state attorney general's office cite a loss of $1.8 million.